Shingwedzi River

The Shingwedzi River, (Venda: Tshingwedzi; Tsonga: Xingwedzi/shingwedzi; Afrikaans: Shingwedzirivier; Portuguese: Rio Singuédzi) is a river in Limpopo Province, South Africa and Gaza Province, Mozambique. It is a left hand tributary of the Olifants River (Rio dos Elefantes) and the northernmost river of its catchment area,[2] joining it at the lower end of its basin. The Shingwedzi is a seasonal river whose riverbed is dry for prolonged periods.[3]

Shingwedzi River
Shingwedzirivier, Rio Singuédzi
The dry bed of the Shingwedzi River in the Kruger National Park
Location of the Shingwedzi River mouth
EtymologyDifferent meanings in the Venda language, among them "place of hard rock" and "dryness of area"[1]
Native nameXingwedzi/shingwedzi or Tshingwedzi
Location
CountrySouth Africa and Mozambique
ProvincesLimpopo and Gaza
Physical characteristics
SourceESE of Thohoyandou
 • locationnear Mtititi, Limpopo Province, South Africa
 • elevation480 m (1,570 ft)
MouthOlifants River (Limpopo)
 • location
Gaza Province, Mozambique
 • coordinates
23°53′32″S 32°17′8″E
 • elevation
86 m (282 ft)
Basin size5,301 km2 (2,047 sq mi)

Course

The Shingwedzi River drains the plain southeast of the Soutpansberg.[4] Its sources are about 40 km to the ESE of Thohoyandou In the Mulamula area ( Malamulele). It flows eastwards across the lowveld and enters the area of the Kruger National Park.[5]

The main rivers of the Shingwedzi basin are the Mandzoro River, Mphongolo River, Phugwane River, Gole River, Shisha River, Tshamidzi River, Bububu River and the Dzombo River.[6]

Two dams on the river are located within the Kruger National Park near the Shingwedzi rest camp; the Kanniedood Dam and the Sirheni Dam. The Makuleke Dam is in the Mphongolo River. After crossing into Mozambique, the river bends and flows southeastwards. Further downstream the Shingwedzi flows close to the northeastern side of the Massingir Dam's reservoir and joins the Olifants about 12 km down river from the dam wall.[7]

This river is a good place for observing large herds of African bush elephants, herds of 50 to 60 individuals being common in its basin.[8]

See also

References
  1. Transvaal Indigenous Place Names Archived 2008-10-31 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "State of Rivers Report - The Olifants River System". Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. Archived from the original on 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  3. Shingwedzi River why is it the most polluted river in the KNP?
  4. Environmental Management Framework for the Olifants and Letaba Rivers Catchment area
  5. Luvuvu Lethaba WMA 2
  6. Rivers of the Kruger National Park... Perennial and Seasonal
  7. Shingwedzi River why is it the most polluted river in the KNP?
  8. Shingwedzi Rest Camp - Kruger National Park - SANParks
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